Nigel: City’s support is ‘phenomenal’

The roar from passionate home supporters – a wall of sound that sends tingles down the back the neck – must be an incredible experience for any player, particularly when the games have huge significance.

York City’s finest will need every shout, every small morsel of encouragement, as they bid to beat Southend at Bootham Crescent this afternoon and take a huge step towards securing their Football League status for next year.

On the back of a sizeable following at Northampton – 719 making the trip down to Sixfields – conservative estimates are putting this afternoon’s crowd at past the 5,000 mark for the vital clash with the Shrimpers.

But, once the ball is kicked for the first time, how much does crowd participation matter?

Manager Nigel Worthington says it is not as much about what you can hear as knowing what is behind your back – helping you on all the time.

“The crowd can be huge and that goes without saying,” he said. “I’ve found the support at this football club to be absolutely phenomenal.

“When you come to a stage in the season with a big game coming up to, hopefully, have this place as near as full as it can be will be fantastic. It will be great for the players.

“Let’s hope, between us, we can make it a good day and everyone can go home at 5pm with a smile on their face.

“It’s always nice to see a stadium full. When you go out and hear the noise, from that football support, it is a fantastic feeling but, after the first whistle goes, you almost don’t hear the crowd. You have your full focus on the game.

“But, in the back of your mind, you know you have that support there for you and, as in the past few home and away games where maybe the game needed a little lift along with the team, the support has been there in a fantastic manner.

“I like to think of it all as ‘one’ rather than supporters and players. We are all one and want the same thing. Hopefully, between the players’ performance and the support, we can be right up there.”

And while those packed into the stands may be gnawing their fingernails if there is a tense finish and setbacks during the match, don’t worry, Worthington says those out on the pitch won’t be feeling the same butterflies.

“Nerves are for before the game,” he added. “Once the game starts you get on with it, you deal with it, if you are a proper professional. That’s not an issue. Nerves can be an excuse.

“We have got a job to do and we have got to go and deliver – simple as that. Performance-wise, we have been creating chances, and taking chances over the last three or four games. A repeat of that would see us either very close or with a good result.”

Swinging into golfing action

FANCY teeing up for a round with a York City player? Forest Park Golf Club is hosting the official York City Golf Day on Wednesday, July 17, and there is a chance to take on some of the Minstermen squad over 18 holes at the Stockton-on-the-Forest course.

Teams are priced at £160 for four, or £40 per person, and, alongside the tournament, there will also be a putting competition and prizes for nearest the pin.

People or businesses are being sought to sponsor the day, a competition hole, or any hole, as well as donating prizes.

The entry fee includes also coffee and a bacon sandwich on arrival, as well as a meal (steak pie, chips and vegetables) following the round.

Competition prizes will be presented around 7pm.

For further information, phone Dave Hendry, of City’s commercial department, on 01904 559501 or email golfday@yorkcityfootball club.co.uk

Player of the Year battle goes to wire

THERE is still a three-way fight for The Press Player of the Year award going into this afternoon’s penultimate game of the season.

Captain Chris Smith holds a four-point lead ahead of today’s home meeting with Southend, but his nearest rivals on the leaderboard Michael Ingham and Dan Parslow both made ground following last weekend’s 2-0 away win against Northampton.

Ingham was our man of the match at Sixfields to receive three points towards the standings, while Parslow (two) and Smith (one) were also rewarded with points as The Press’ second and third-highest rated performers respectively.

The City ’keeper also collected the two Player of Month bonus points on offer after receiving the most man-of-the-match votes from visitors to our website.

Ingham has now drawn level with Parslow at the top of that contest.

To be in with a chance of presenting April’s Player of the Month with their award – a framed photograph – before a City home game, vote for your man of the match from today’s Bootham Crescent clash with Southend.

You can also tweet your choice to @daveflettpress

The Press Player of the Year latest standings (not including Player of the Month bonus points): C Smith 35 points, Ingham 31, Parslow 30, Blair 22, O’Connell 18, Fyfield 17, Chambers 16, Walker 16, Kerr 13, McGurk 13, Kearns 12, Oyebanjo 11, Coulson 8, McLaughlin 6, Potts 6, Carlisle 5, Carson 5, J Smith 5, McGrath 4, Doig 3, Rankine 3, Reed 3, Blanchett 2, Obeng 2, Rodman 2, Taylor 2, Challinor 1, Johnson 1, Platt 1, A Reed 1.

The Press Player of the Month for April latest standings: Ingham 5, Parslow 5, McGurk 4, A Reed 3, Carson 2, Chambers 2, Cresswell 2, Smith 1.

Goals: Chambers 10, Walker 9, Blair 6, Coulson 5, McLaughlin 4, Own goals 4, J Reed 4, Potts 3, C Smith 3, Cresswell 2, Parslow 1, A Reed 1, Rodman 1.

Assists: Walker 7, Chambers 6, Blair 5, J Smith 5, Parslow 4, C Smith 4, Kearns 3, McLaughlin 3, Carlisle 2, Carson 2, Coulson 2, Kerr 2, McGrath 2, Rodman 2, Challinor 1, Cresswell 1, Fyfield 1, Reed 1.

Bad boys: Chambers 7 yellow cards; C Smith 6 yellow; Kerr 1 red, 3 yellow; Ingham 4 yellow; Fyfield 3 yellow; Blair, Coulson, McGurk, McLaughlin, O’Connell, Oyebanjo, Parslow, Potts all 2 yellow; Carlisle, Carson, Challinor, Cresswell, Doig, Johnson, Platt, Rodman, J Smith, Walker all 1 yellow.